Levante are a small club based in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain. Levante, who are more commonly nicknamed 'The Granotes', which means 'The Frogs', have not always been a prominent figure in the La Liga. Prior to 2004, Levante had only ever been in the top division twice, in 1963/1964 and 1964/1965. However, the 2003/2004 season saw Levante break an almost 50 year old duck of not featuring back in the top division. The Frogs were to be relegated that season by just two points as they lost a season long battle with Mallorca for 17th position and survival from relegation. Levante then bounced between La Liga and the Segunda B. for the next few seasons until the 2010/2011 season in which Levante managed an impressive 14th position in the La Liga after being promoted for the third time in six seasons.

The 2011/2012 season saw even more joy for Levante as they assured themselves as a top division side. After ten games, The Frogs were top of the table and flying with just 1 defeat their opening 10 matches. As expected, Levante did drop off the pace a little as the class and flair of Barcelona and Real Madrid outshone the rest of the teams in the La Liga. Going into the last game of the season, Levant needed a victory and also had to hope Osasuna were defeated. Levante got their wish after ninety minutes as a victory for them and a defeat for Osasuna meant the Valencia based club had qualified for a European Competition for the first time in their existence. Levante's League form was down to the goal scoring expertise of Arouna Kone who bagged 15 goals in an impressive League season. Unfortunately, this didn't go unnoticed with other clubs in Europe as Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wigan all snooped around the Ivorian. However, it was the latter who secured the signing of Kone who moved to the Premier League basement boys for a fee of 3.5Million Euros.

It is highly though that Levante manager, Juan Ignacio Martínez, will have the full support of the chairman and fans going into the 2012/2013 League season. The manager will take charge of the club for the first time in a European competition but it is not thought that hopes are high for the small Valencian club. A repeat of last season isn't out of the ordinary, although, after losing their star player and top goal scorer, Levante will definitely have their work cut out.

Always had a soft spot for Levante especially after Ballesteros had an interview in 442 a few years ago and i will always remember that video that he manged to chase down ronaldo. Very well written will be falling with intent

It's July 1st and the transfer window has opened in Spain. However, with a no transfer budget and only £5,100K per week spare to spend on wages, it looks like Levante could be stretched when it comes to new signings come to the Estadi Ciutat de València. The manager of the Granotes has come out and released a statement on the matter after the first pre-season press conference at club's training campus.

quote Juan Ignacio Martínez

I am more than happy with the squad we have at the moment. We have many good players both in the first team and on the fringes on the squad who can come into the squad if required and do more than expected of them. I am not ruling out any ins and outs over the course of the next two months but it is not a must for us a s a club to buy and sell. One or two players may come in on free transfers and on loans but that may be the most activity at the club till January.

The Levante squad, at first glance, does not look like a bad one but it is certain that they will need their goalkeeper, Gustavo Munua, to be in top form after playing in 37 of 38 games in the La Liga last season. Defensively, Levante look pretty strong with 3-4 good standard players able to play each position in the back four. Sergio Ballesteros will headline the back four after a truly amazing season which saw him establish himself as one of the better older centre backs in Spain. Another key player in the Levante back line will be the versatile right back Christian Lell who's first season in Spain comes on the back of a good season in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

Onto the midfield and it's certain that it will be run and held by two players particularly. Newly capped Senegalese midfielder, Pape Diop, will need to make sure he carries over his performances from last season with Racing Santander as he aims to assert himself in the Senegal and Levante midfield. Diop's partner will be Vicente Iborra. Iborra is a Levante legend who is still only at the tender age of 24 years old. The Valencian born midfielder impressed for the Frogs last season with a number of thrilling performances but this also caused attention of the higher clubs in Spain. Able to play both attacking midfield and left midfield to a fantastic level, another key player will be Javier Barkero. Despite Javier's age, he is still considered to be one of the best players at Levante and on the back of 7 goals in the La Liga last season, Barkero is playing better than he ever has. Another key attacking player for Levante this season could be Juanlu who plays an attacking role on the left side of midfield. Juanlu found himself slightly out of favour last season but it's been made obvious that if he performs well, he will be a key feature in Martínez's team. The final player under scrutiny is Cape Verde international, Valdo who is an attacking right sided midfielder. The Cape Verde midfielder will start the season ahead of former Liverpool player, Nabil El Zhar who will start his second season in Spain this season.

The strikers of Levante will have their work very much cut out for them this season with the departure of Ivorian, Arouna Kone. The first choice striker will also be an African footballer as Obafemi Martins starts his debut season in Spain after having a troublesome time finding his feet after leaving Newcastle in 2009. The formation chosen by Martínez will feature two strikers so it's thought that loanee Italian forward, Robert Acquafresca will have to be in 'tip top' shape which he hasn't shown for some years. Acquafresca hasn't scored over 10 goals in a League season since the 2008/2009 season in which he scored 14 goals whilst on loan at Serie A club Cagliari.

With the new La Liga season quickly approaching, Levante may have to strengthen there forward line despite the words of Juan Ignacio Martínez. Two strikers who aren't in the best of form may not be enough to propel Levante to the heights of last season and with the club being in a European competition for the first time in their history, it might be a tougher season that many fans of the Valencia club previously thought.

Levante opened up their transfers for the 2012/2013 with signing 3 strikers. The first player to arrive at the club was Agyemang Opoku who comes to Spain on a free transfer. Opoku was last season with Levski Sofia in Bulgaria but later left the club after a decline in appearances. Jan-Arie van der Heijden then came to Levante from Vitesse on loan. The young Dutch central midfielder has no doubt been brought in to relieve the pressure on Pape Diop and Vicente Iborra's shoulders. Promising defenders David Mateos and David Lomban then joined on loan from Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. It is thought that both defenders will be back-up to the first team and that their experience with two of the top clubs in Spain will benefit the Valencian club.

Alberto Bueno was also brought in on a loan from Real Valladolid as they look to use a tactic for the coming season which only involves one striker. Another low profile signing was another loan agreement made with the club. This time it saw Catania left back, Ciro Capuano arrive after a dismal last season where he only features 7 times for the Italian Serie club. Another left back was brought in on loan after the departure of club legend Juanfran to Osasuna for £180K. The left back arriving in his place was Juan Sanchez Mino who hails from Boca Juniors in Argentina. Juan Sanchez is thought to of been brought to Spain to be first choice left back ahead of Greek defender Nikos Karabelas. Levante finally saw some money come into the club after Juanlu departed for Espanyol for a fee of £1.2Million. From the resulting sale, Levante made their only outright purchase of the transfer window so far as Aruna Dindane came to club from Al-Sailiya in Qatar for £275K. The ex Portsmouth striker who had 6 goals in 8 games for his new Qatari club before coming to Spain will look to headline the Levante attack along with Obafemi Martins.

Levante have been given a kind draw in the Europa League Play-off round as they have been pitted against Metalurg Donetsk from Ukraine. The Spanish club will be away for the first leg which some say is an advantage as then head back to Valencia for the second leg where they will know just what they have to do. African striking duo Obafemi Martins and Aruna Dindane are favourites to start the tie in Ukraine upfront despite the League season starting 5 days before the first leg match. Metalurg have their fair share of dangerous players, none other than Brazilian striker Junior Moraes who joined the Ukrainian side from CSKA Sofia earlier this season for £1.7Million.

The only other Spanish club in the Play-off round are Athletic Bilbao who have been drawn against Motherwell. The Basque club will also play their first leg match away from Spain before playing the return leg at the end of August. Bilbao will have expectations similar to Levante going into the Play-off round, which will be to safely progress to the Group stage first and foremost.